Driving Inclusion Forward
Jeff Appelt (right) and Manitoba Possible's Stephanie Penelton (left) in front of Manitoba Possible's new Recreation and Leisure van.
It all began with a remarkable coincidence.
Jeff Appelt had just hopped into his car to drive to his other Appelt’s Diamonds store. The radio was tuned to a station he didn’t usually listen to, broadcasting an interview about Manitoba Possible’s urgent need for a new recreation and leisure van. Just the day before, Jeff’s father, Bert Appelt, had told him about the organization’s plea for support.
The timing felt too perfect to ignore.
“At first I thought, ‘what a coincidence,’ but I don’t believe in coincidences—I knew I had to do something,” Jeff recalled.
Manitoba Possible’s van had been hit while parked on the side of the road, leaving it undriveable. Insurance didn’t come close to covering the cost of a replacement.
“My dad had heard the story and shared it with me because it’s near and dear to his heart.”
Jeff’s commitment to inclusion runs deep. Making the phone call to purchase the van was an easy decision. His grandfather had a disability resulting from polio, and at the time, accessible sport opportunities weren’t available.
“My dad always envied when he saw other dads playing with kids and he couldn’t,” he says.
This personal history instilled in Jeff a profound understanding of the importance of equal access to recreation and leisure opportunities. Jeff’s $50,000 donation enabled the procurement of a new van just in time for the busy sledge hockey season.
“We were desperate to find a way to keep our season going,” says Jaylene Irwin, Program Manager of Recreation, Leisure and Accessible Sport at Manitoba Possible. “When he called, I was completely stunned and emotional. Thanks to Jeff’s support, we can keep running programs that mean the world to our participants. It’s made a huge difference for so many people in our community.”
Manitoba Possible provides recreation and accessible sports opportunities to more than 680 children, youth, and adults every year, ranging from sledge hockey and power wheelchair hockey to wheelchair curling and summer camps. Jeff’s donation ensures that essential equipment can reach these programs, so nobody has to sit on the sidelines.
“I announced the donation at Appelt’s Diamonds Christmas party and the response was overwhelming,” says Jeff. “One staff member was very familiar with Manitoba Possible because their child uses the services. She was quite emotional about it. Another person came up to tell me how much it meant because a close family member had benefited from their work. You don’t realize the impact until you hear things like that.”
Providing inclusive recreation and accessible sports opportunities to communities across the province is no easy feat. We cannot do it alone. We are incredibly grateful to Jeff and Appelt’s Diamonds for helping us create an inclusive and accessible society for all.
“I know 100% my grandfather would be very proud of me, of the company, and what we’ve done with it,” says Jeff. “He would be very proud that we’re living his legacy and what he stood for. That means a lot to me. I’ve felt so many times that he’s looking at me, smiling, and saying, ‘good job.’”